ABSTRACT
In order to select a suitable coating system, it is necessary to determine the envi ronmental conditions around the structure to be painted. If the coating is to be applied to an exterior surface, are there nearby chemical plants, pulp and paper mills, or heavy industries that might provide airborne pollutants? Is the objective of the coating to provide an aesthetic appearance or to provide maximum corro sion protection which will limit the colors to the normal grays, whites, and pastels of the most corrosion resistant coatings? Will the surface be predominantly wet (salt or freshwater) or exposed to a chemical contaminant (acid or alkaline)? Is the environment predominantly a weathering environment subject to heat, cold, daily or seasonal temperature changes, precipitation, wind (flexing), exposure to sunlight, or detrimental solar rays? Will the surface be exposed to occasional spells of a corrosive or solvent? After the environmental conditions of the area have been defined, a suitable resistant coating can be selected. Characteristics, corrosion resistance, limitations, and uses of the common generic types of coat ings will be discussed.
